the new laziness...

... is all about inertia brought on by fear.

Fear of the unknown.
Fear of what the big bosses will say.
Fear for one's career.
Fear for one's future.
Fear of consumers' response.
Fear of failure.
Fear of success...

The new laziness is all about the paralysis brought by fear of what could be.

From Seth Godin:

... the new laziness has nothing to do with physical labor and everything to do with fear. If you're not going to make those sales calls or invent that innovation or push that insight, you're not avoiding it because you need physical rest.